Koenders condemns Israel’s approval of new settlements

News item | 19-10-2017 | 18:50

Israel has approved the advancement of plans to build thousands of settlement units across the West Bank.

‘We condemn the construction of new settlements,’ foreign minister Bert Koenders commented. ‘This decision raises the question of what kind of peace Israel envisions. Effectively expanding illegal settlements is completely irreconcilable with the two-state solution. By taking this step, Israel is reducing the scope for negotiation.’

The Netherlands endorses the statement made on this subject by Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.